Sir Trevor McDonald, renowned Trinidadian-British newsreader and journalist, shared how news reporting must be “relevant” to people’s lives.

McDonald is one of the most respected broadcasters of his generation. He’s anchored every ITN News programme, including the BAFTA-winning News at Ten, and interviewed the world’s highest-profile figures, from Nelson Mandela to Bill Clinton.

He told a packed audience at the special Life in Television event that he believes the core of good journalism is making news understandable to everyone.

“How do you make somebody sitting in their house in Kent or somewhere in Essex interested in what these people called ISIS are doing?,” he said.

“How do you make it not only accessible, how do you make it understandable, how do you make it relevant to their lives? And that’s the key.”

High-profile interviews

McDonald spoke about his surprise at first landing a job at ITN, saying that “I never thought I was very good at it really.” Audiences disagreed, respecting him for his skill at communicating complex situations, reporting from areas of political unrest and interviewing controversial figures including Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi.

He remembered interviewing Nelson Mandela shortly after his release from prison as one of the “most extraordinary moments of [his] life.” He said that it changed his view of international politics and confirmed his thoughts on violence and war. This approach has shaped his reporting throughout his career.

Sharing untold stories

McDonald has continued to share important stories even after his retirement from news broadcasting, through documentary filmmaking. His subjects range from British royalty to Las Vegas and the American South. But his commitment to uncovering the truth in an accessible, relevant way remains.

“I’m no judge,” he said.

“What I want to do is to turn my camera on to hear people’s stories.”

For more inspiring Life in Television stories from the world of film, games and TV explore our BAFTA News Stories section.